Swimmers and pet owners warned after blue-green algae detected in 2 P.E.I. ponds

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office issued a warning Thursday about the presence of blue-green algae in two bodies of water.

They are Parson's Creek in Stanhope and Deroche Pond in Point Deroche. 

In the warning, the office said ingesting water that contains blue-green algae can cause nausea, vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea or abdominal cramps.

They said people should not swim in such water or let their pets play in it or consume it.

The bacteria that cause the phenomenon, cyanobacteria, flourish in warm weather and have many species. 

Kyle Knysh, a surface water biologist for the province, said his team alerts P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office any time potential cyanobacterial growth is suspected. 

'A very scummy, scummy look'

"It's important to at least give Islanders an alert that there is growth of this," said Knysh, adding the algal blooms can look like grass clippings or a turquoise green paint in the water.

"[It's] just a very scummy, scummy look that's a lot brighter than your typical more normal algae."

Knysh said it's uncommon to find these types of bacteria on the Island. Between 2004 and 2013, they were detected in a total of 18 total ponds across the Island, with warnings often involving MacLure's Dam near Murray River. 

This year the algal blooms have been identified in four ponds on P.E.I. so far.  

If you see an odd growth on pond water or a turquoise-coloured scum, you can call the Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action at (902) 368-5044 to report it.

When cyanobacteria are suspected, Knysh said the water is sampled and sent to the lab.